Super Saturday Statute

Super Saturday Statute

It is time, once again, for another Super Saturday Statute.  This one involves barre work. 

The barre serves as a partner, one that assists the dancer – gently – into greater and better technique.  Therefore the barre should be treated as a partner, with kindness and respect.  There should never be a tight grip on the barre, or a tense, raised elbow and shoulder.  Think about what it would feel like if the barre were an actual human.

Ballet Statute #25 states that the arm on the barre must be relaxed.  Any time the elbow begins to levitate and/or the shoulders tense, something is wrong!  Often it is a big indicator that the dancer’s placement is off.  Also, the hand on the barre should be placed slightly in front of the torso.  When problems occur with the barre arm, it often because the hand on the barre is placed too far back.

So don’t squeeze the poor barre and relax the arm!

From the Itty Bitty Beige Book of Ballet Statutes:

Statute #25:  

“When working at the barre, the arm on the barre must be relaxed.”

                Link of the Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFLXzsWsLpI

Quote of the Day:

““Relaxing the shoulders is vital for relaxation in general. However, owing to the effects of gravity, relaxation is problematic unless we let the shoulders remain in their natural place. Let the shoulders drop, or settle in harmony with gravity, into their most comfortable position. It isn’t too difficult to do this for a moment, but to sustain this condition unconsciously in our lives is another matter.”

― H.E. Davey

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